Bracelet.



B. R. JOLLY.

' BRACELET.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. I9I5.

l, 175,636. Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

4 my 776.44%@ 'AWR/vim THE COLUMBIA vumuunmpn C0., WASHINGTON, n. c.

BENJAMIN R. J' OLLY, OF RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA.

BRACELET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

Application filed September 9, 1915. Serial No. 49,723.

T 0 all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN R. JOLLY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Raleigh, in the county of lVake and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and Improved Bracelet, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to bracelets and particularly to an improved bracelet formed from links in such a manner that the links will give or spread.

An object in View is to provide a bracelet formed of links having overlapping parts and a spring for resiliently holding the parts in a predetermined position while allowing a stretching or sliding movement of the parts.

Another object in view is to provlde a bracelet of a plurality of links and covering plates which are adapted to be mounted upon any or all of the links. l

A still further object in view is to provide what may be termed spring links in which sliding or telescoping plates are utilized and a flat spring bent back and forth upon itself is utilized for resiliently holding the plates in a predetermined position.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of a bracelet embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a side View of the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section through Fig. 2 on line 3 3, the same being on an enlarged scale; Fig.,4 is a section through Fig. 3 on line 4 4; Fig. 5 is a section through Fig. 3 on line 5 5; Fig. 6 is a section through Fig. 3 on line 6 6; Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of one'of the complete links, certain parts being broken away for illustrating how the members are slidingly fitted together and how the spring is mounted in position; the same being shown partially' under tension; Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of one of the ornamental plates adapted to be connected with any of the links; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the catch embodying certain features of the invention; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 4 exceptvshowing va modified form of the invention; Fig. 11 is a bottom plan` view of part of a bracelet showing certain parts broken away for better illustrating the sliding construction of the members and the arrangement of catch, the spring being shown partially under tension.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 1 indicates a link formed according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1 a plurality of links 1 are connected together by S-shaped connecting members 2 so as to make a complete bracelet. A suitable catch 3 is also provided so that the bracelet may be opened at any time. It is evident that the connection 2 may be changed and formed in any desired manner provided the same holds the links 1 together. 1f desired, the links 1 may be connected as shown in Fig. 1 and used as abracelet in this manner. However, plates 4 are provided, as shown in Fig. 8, which may be secured to the various links 1 to provide ornamental faces therefor. The plates 4 may be of any suitable design so as to give a nice ornamental appearing covering member but must be provided with a plurality of depending'members 5 which overlap the ends of the links in order to hold the plates 4 in position. If desired the depending members 5 may be soldered or otherwise rigidly secured to the links.

Each of the links 1 is provided with an louter member 6 having upstanding walls and turned-over runways 7. The runways 7 fall short at each end so as to provide notches 8 into which the depending members 5 are forced, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6. The body 9 of each of the links 1 is provided with a turned-up end 10 against which spring 11 presses. Spring ll also presses against the turned-down end 12 of the sliding plate 13, which sliding plate is provided with an aperture 14 for receiving the` connecting inember or link 2, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. lVhen the adjacent links are pulled in a direction for separating the same, spring 11 will be compressed between the members 10 and 12, and when the parts are released they will return to the position shown in Fig. 3 under the action of the spring. It will be observed that the spring occupies a very small space as the same is made'from flat material bent back and forth, as shown in Fig. 7. It is evident that any desired number of bends or convolutions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The catch 3 is connected with one of the links 1, as shown in Fig. 3, by means of a loop l5 extending through an aperture 16. The catch 3 is made from spring metal and as a sliding plate'andlas a catch.

is provided with a` turned-up end 17 and a tongue 1S'. When it' is desired to connect the bracelet into a circle, as shown in Fig. 1, the catch 3 is inserted into its properlnk, as shown in Fig. 3, until the tongue 18 snaps into aperture 14 of the sliding plate 13. By providing the turned-up end 17 the thumb may be utilized for depressing or collapsing the catch when it is desired to disengage the same, the catch acting when in position as one of the links2 for connecting the links 1 together.

In manufacturing the bracelet the same may be made from valuable material, as for instance, gold or silver, and worn without the use of plates 4. However, the plates 4 are very desirable in that they present a varied ornamental effect and are adapted to be applied at any time. For instance, when the bracelet is first sold a suitable number of links 1 are provided and one of the covering plates, which covering plate may be supplied with the initials of the purchaser or other initials as desired. The other plates may be addedy from time to time as the owner secures the same from others, the later secured plates being designed to have appropriate information engraved, thereon so that when the bracelet has been completely covered with plates the same will present, in effect, a souvenir structure, as well as anv ornamental bracelet. It is also evident that precious stones may be mounted on the connecting members 2 between the various links 1 if desired, to increase the ornamental effectof the bracelet. Y

InA Fig..10 will be seen a slightly modified form of the invention in which the body of the link is made from a tubular'member formed or pressed so as to have flat sides and ends, though this exact shape is not absolutely essential. The slide 13 and other parts in this form of the invention are identical with the preferred form and therefore need no additional description. By providing a continuous piece in cross section, as shown in Fig. 4, the eifectis merely the closing of the turned-over runway 7, as the upper part of thebody merely forms tracks or runways for the slide as the same, is actuated by the spring.

In Fig. 11 will be seen a further modifiedv form of the invention in whichY the separate links are constructed with a sliding plate that will act ina double capacity, namely, Referring to this ligure by numerals, 6 indicates the body which is constructed similar to Fig. 1 except that aperture 14 is eliminated and apertures 17and 18 are provided in the upstanding walls 19 and 20. The plate 13 is provided with a comparatively long notch 2 1 whereby resilient arms V22 and 23 are provided, each of these arms being provided with a: lug 2Gv which lugsvproject into the 6 is provided with a turned-up'end member f 12. Also a spring 11 is arranged between these turned-up members to resiliently maintain the sliding plate 13 within the body 6. The body 6 in Fig. 11 has been shown 'formed similar to the preferred structure but it will be evident that it could be made out of seamless material as in the modified form shown in Fig. 10v without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention.

Vhat I claim is zy 1. In a device of the characted described', a link provided with arbody having turnedover portions for providing runways and also with a turned-up portion for providingr a stop, and a sliding plate fitting into said runwaysand provided with a stop, and a spring arranged between said body and; saidplate and also between saidstops for. resiliently holding the body and plate ina predetermined position. Y

2. In a bracelet ofthe character described, a `plurality of links, each linkrcompri'sing a pair of members slidable relative to each other, one of said sliding members beingslotted for part of itslength soas to produce resilient arms, Vsaid resilient arms.' beingprovided with projections and ther other of! said members being provided with apertures for receiving the projections of the next adjacent link, and a spring arranged between said sliding members ,and acting on bot-h the members for resilientl-y holding said mem` bers in a predetermined position... Y. c 3. Ina device of the character' described, a link provided with apair of p.lates, one of said` plates being.Y formed Ywithturned-over portions v for Aproviding runways and also provided Awith a.v turned-up stop,v andthe other of'said plates fitting into said runway and provided with a stop,fand a serpentine kspring arranged between said plates and-en,-

gaging said stops for resiliently holdingsaid Y plates in. a predetermined position. 4. In a bracelet of the character described,

a link provided with a pair ofplates, onev of said plates-having upsta-nding sides and` turned-over. edges 4for. producing a runway,- said first mentioned plate also being, provided with'a 'turned-up member adjacent one end, theother' of said plates fitting into saidV runway and being provided Vwith av turned-down portion adjacent onel end forjproducingua stop, said stops being spaced, apart, and a springarranged;betweenA said.`

plates and engaging said stops for resiliently holding the plates in a predetermined position.

5. In a bracelet of the characterdescribed, a plurality of links, each link being formed with a body having a runway and a turnedup end together with sides and apertures adjacent one end, a slide having a turneddown end fitting in said body, and a resilient member arranged between said ends for resisting the sliding movement of said slide in one direction, said slide being provided with projections at one end whereby the projections on the slide of one link are adapted to snap into the apertures in the end of the next adjacent link. y

6. In a bracelet of the character described, a plurality of links, each of said links being provided with a pair of members slidable Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

relative to each other, one of said members having a pair of apertures and a turned-up end and the other of said members being provided with a turned-down end and a slotted portion for presenting resilient arms, said resilient arms each being formed with a projection adapted to fit into the apertures in the next adjacent link and a spring arranged between the members and between the turned-up ends thereof for resiliently holding the members in a predetermined position.

ln testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN R. JOLLY. Vitnesses:

HENRY S. KRAMER, A. L. KircHiN.

Washington, D. C. 

